Natural Resource planning is affected by decisions made on many different levels of government. The Department aims to help improve the coordination around, and ability of, the County, local municipalities and residents to make planning and land-use decisions that protect our critical natural resources.

In working alongside numerous local agencies, not-for-profit organizations, elected officials, and residents, Ulster County's robust natural resources were featured in the December 2016 issue of National Geographic magazine. In the "Seeing Green: How to Identify Conservation Priorities Near You" feature, the green infrastructure potential of Ulster County, among other County-led sustainability initiatives, are highlighted. This web-based interactive feature and accompanying map of the County is seen by scrolling down and clicking on "Dreaming Green: A Case Study." For more information regarding the County's involvement on this project, click here.